TSKHINVAL (South Ossetia), August 23. /TASS/. South Ossetian President Leonid Tibilov said he will ask Russia’s leadership to continue the operation to clear mines in the republic.

"I am very much glad that such work was conducted this year, we have completed the first stage. I will certainly inform Russia’s leadership about the task the Russian rescuer detachment fulfilled," Tibilov said.

"Certainly, during my personal meeting with [Russian President] Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin I will tell him about the work and will ask Russian specialists to come to the republic next year again to continue work to clear the territory of mines," he said at a meeting with Russian rescuers.

The event was attended by Russian Emergencies Ministry North Caucasus regional center chief Nikolai Lityuk and other ministry officials. After the meeting, Tibilov decorated some Russian Emergencies Ministry officials with state medals and honorary certificates.